Indian Land considers impact fees

Within a month, Lancaster County leaders could have a better idea whether Indian Land might see impact fees.

Lancaster County Council heard a second presentation Sept. 14 on impact fees, or charges on new development to help pay for the public service costs of more people and businesses.

“A number of questions were asked about the procedure and what could be funded with the impact fees,” said Councilman Brian Carnes, who represents Indian Land. “We are going to have additional discussion during our strategic planning workshop in October.”

The impact fee study, the reason for the most recent presentation, is a state requirement ahead of adopting any impact fees. No decision has been made on what fees will be charged, if any.

“We are at the beginning stages on impact fees,” Carnes said.

The county is looking at the panhandle area, where about 20,000 of its 78,000 residents live and where an additional 15,250 single-family homes and 3,200 multifamily units have already been approved. The study would look at the effect of growth to fire protection, police, parks, libraries and other services.

The county could have a draft impact fee study by October or November. Workshops and ordinances would follow, with the idea of implementing new fees next July.

The town of Fort Mill will begin charging impact fees Oct. 1. The town will charge almost the full amount allowed by state law for parks and recreation, because that category only applies to residential construction. No fee will be charged for transportation, the priciest of four categories for commercial construction. Municipal and fire fees, which include residential and nonresidential construction, will be charged at half the rate allowed by law.

Officials estimate the fees will generate more than $18 million for the town to help off-set the cost of growth.

This story was originally published September 21, 2015 at 1:04 PM with the headline "Indian Land considers impact fees."